squezeebox duet

[tosob]

I'm in need of some help please. I'm thinking about getting a duet to hook up to my computer so that i can use it as a server to my two systems in my house. Other the the hardware included in the duet what do i need to make this work. I have just a computer and 2 sound systems. My cd collection is on my computer. My whole house is wired with cable. I do not have wifi in my house, never needed it. I'm not really computer savy.


marty

[dvenardos]

Wired with cable, I presume you mean cat-5 cable?

Your computer asks as the server, you install software on the computer and you need one squeezebox for each system that you want to hook it up to.

[Michael Perry]

If you are getting a Duet you really need to set up a WLAN (WiFi) without it you have to set it up in hybrid mode. The wireless controller has to make an ad-hoc connection through the wired receiver back to the server.

Ad hoc connections suck. It drove me crazy for a couple of days before I solved the problem and installed a wireless router.

[Jason]

Are you using iTunes to play your music? If you have an iphone or ipod touch, you can get an Apple AirPort Express to accomplish the same thing. (via air tunes) Although I wouldn't recommend this unless you are using something else to do the dac duties.

It's likely not as polished of an interface as the duet (don't have any personal experience with one), but is an option. This is what I use for my system.

[tosob]

If i understand theis right i need a router hooked up to my computer. Any recomendations on a router? Signal would start on the 2nd floor but almost right above the system, 2nd system is on the same floor may be 20ft away.

thank again

marty

[dvenardos]

They have discontinued the classic, so you will need either a duet + squeezebox receiver, or two of the new touch (which has replaced the classic).

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/wireless_music_systems/&cl=us,en

Yes, you will need a router hooked up to your computer.
I am partial to Linksys, they have some tutorials on their site which might help you out.

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/learningcenter

[madpoet]

I think if you have an iPhone/iTouch you can also just get the base unit and then use the app to manage that.

[Jason]

I think if you have an iPhone/iTouch you can also just get the base unit and then use the app to manage that.

What advantages (if any) does the SB have over airtunes via an airport express?

[madpoet]

No idea. I have a ful Duet system and like it. That's all I know :)

[dvenardos]

If you aren't going with an external dac, the dac in the squeezebox is better than the airport express. Also, until Apple supports FLAC, well you know that story...

What advantages (if any) does the SB have over airtunes via an airport express?

[hawkeyejw]

You can also stream SiriusXM, Rhapsody, Pandora, and hundreds of other internet radio stations with the squeezebox, not sure what the capabilities are for the AirPort Express in that regard.

FWIW I have a duet and it's great. If you get the extra receiver you can use a single remote to control what is playing on both systems, play the same song at the same time, or different songs on each, etc. It's pretty cool.

[MUCHO]

Just wanted to point out that the iPeng Itouch/Iphone app works REALLY well. Better than the Duet controller by a lot IMO.

[obie_fl]

I have iPeng and to be honest I find it difficult to navigate compared to the Duet's remote. Part of the issue is I have four players and iPeng just doesn't seem to handle that well. It is too easy for me to get lost in the iPeng screens. Beyond that it is just a matter of preference, flicking vs spinning.

[MUCHO]

I have iPeng and to be honest I find it difficult to navigate compared to the Duet's remote. Part of the issue is I have four players and iPeng just doesn't seem to handle that well. It is too easy for me to get lost in the iPeng screens. Beyond that it is just a matter of preference, flicking vs spinning.

Huh. I have three and it handles that just fine.

I have to admit the last time I used a Duet remote was when they first came out. Maybe the interface has improved a lot.

Also I use Ipeng on a 3Gs iphone so maybe that helps if you're using an older gen which might be slower?

[obie_fl]

It's a 3Gs I just find the interface clunky, windows within windows. It is still on my phone so I'll give it another chance. You really owe it to yourself to take a look at the Duet remote if you haven't in a while, quite different then say a year ago or even six months ago for that matter.